Plymouth: Selectmen hear proposed FY2014 budget

At a joint meeting with the Finance and School Committees on Tuesday night, the Plymouth Board of Selectmen heard a presentation on the FY14 Budget. Town Manager Melissa Arrighi recommended a budget for FY14 of a little over $167 million:

“That’s a little over a 4% total increase in the budget from last year, but when you break that down, it’s about a two and a half percent increase in the operating budget and really the majority of the increase comes from debt service and fixed costs. The debt service increase comes because the town has approved projects lately including the new school and the senior center. Now that debt is hitting the books.”

And if this budget is approved, Arrighi explained what would be the cost to the average taxpayer:

“For a $300,000 home—that’s considered to be the average homeowner— that increase would be about $231 a year or $56 per quarter.” The Board decided they needed more time to review the budget and tabled a vote until next week. In addition, the Town Manager was asked to take a close look at overtime costs, debt service and fixed costs to determine if there are any changes that can be recommended.